Retail sales, excluding automobile sales, saw its first gain in six months, a sign consumers may be turning the corner, according to the National Retail Federation. Retail sales rose 0.7% in August over July, but fell 4.3% from the same month last year. Those figures do not include auto, gas and restaurant sales.
Back-to-school sales and tax holidays throughout the country fell a bit later this year than last, but still helped boost August retail sales on traditional school merchandise such as apparel and electronics. Clothing and clothing accessory sales increased 2.4% adjusted from the previous month and decreased 5.9% unadjusted from last year.
Health and personal care store sales also saw solid increases with sales increasing 0.4% seasonally adjusted from last month and 2.7% unadjusted over last August. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores sales increased 2.3% adjusted over last month and decreased 1.7% unadjusted year-over-year.
